SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Established 1965 A story of a lockdown marriage Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Anita Kanwal Slathia from my well wisher and my support system, my more methodical with the essential skill of priori- ness as the auspicious time mentioned by my priest dear MOM. Whenever she called me, I was ever tizing. was that all these rituals were supposed to be per- Reservation of professional ockdown marriage, ever heard of this term ready with a pen and a diary. This became my daily Next came the listing part which kept changing formed before twelve at noon.The ceremonies before? Wow, what a name I have coined to planner, a special Gift from my dear sister proved many a times. Here again the mobile assisted me to went smooth and Almighty in the form of my well- Lthis marriage, a unique and entirely a new to be blessing. search for the phone numbers whom to contact and wishers were a great support. seats for Ladakh paradigm for all of us. At this juncture of time I had no other alterna- finally a lady for preparation of the food was One of the most important part of a marriage Do you know when and how this came into tive on which I had my future planned day to day. arranged. As she came as a God's messenger, she are the guests. It was a again a challenge. We t may be recalled that following the doing away existence? A very interesting and a unique experi- It was a brand new one, a pen nicely placed in one was as perfect in preparing meals we could never wished all our near and dears to be present in the with the 'special status' of the erstwhile state ence. Lets take you to a strange journey during my of its holders. Though it was a beautiful diary, I have got any better person. I was so jeopardized, most precious moment of our life. Then again my daughter's marriage and why I have called it a of Jammu and Kashmir by abolition of Article receive from her every year but what was special that every fourth day I checked on her whether she tiny companion, my phone came to my assistance. I lockdown marriage. about it that this one was heading me towards a would not back out, as I had no other option at this One by one I started sending messages to all my 370 last year on August 5, the state was bifurcat- We are kept updated through the channels and challenge and I knew that a month's time was not point of time. We had already booked the items friends and relatives, making various lists of both ed into two Union Territories of Jammu and News bulletins about this information about sufficient for such a God gifted moment in my which were required to be rented for the, cere- family and friends and checking the guest list and Kashmir and Ladakh. Prior to that constitution- COVID-19, looming all around us. Our angel's life. The pre-planning evaporated in a short monies. Now again it were to be checked back. As making sure to talk to them, finding for the phone Government declared a Junta curfew, country fol- al arrangement Ladakh was sharing, as a part span. Our house became the venue thus replacing these were available in our neighborhood, we were numbers which had changed, keeping a check of lowed it religiously in a way, trying to be a part of the marriage hall. I was nervous to the extent that a bit relieved. not to miss anybody. Here again we missed visiting of the state , seats requirements in profession- this strange happening. On the other hand, we, the sleepless nights became a norm. The fact that According to the customs of our region, eleven each of them and privilege of handing over the al colleges in Jammu and Kashmir in respect of occupied with the last minute preparations for our now it all had to be more precise and with mini- days prior to the Wedding day, the mother of the invitation cards. After the telephonic conversations the aspiring students from the region . Since now daughter's marriage. and with the feedback, I was relieved and under- As a result, the social and cultural scenario had it is a separate UT but has no Medical College or stood the true meaning of "nears and dears" all of a great impact. This was a strange occurrence that them were a great support and boosted my morale. an Engineering College to cater to the require- even the most sensitive issues of visiting religious Many of them even gave me advices and helpful ments of the students of the twin districts of Leh places, attending marriage functions were post- suggestions. On that day I thanked God for provid- poned or cancelled. This made everybody to pon- ing me with such a solid support system in the and Kargil in Ladakh , an arrangement, therefore, der over the seriousness of the viral disease which had to be carved out to accommodate the aspi- form of my friends and relatives. had taken a huge form in Italy, but its origin was The next important step towards the proper rant candidates in the existing availability of pro- from Wuhan, China. The curfew imposed by our proceeding was the permission of the Government fessional seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Government was a kind of precautionary measure authorities. We could culminate the marriage ritu- and thoughtful step towards the spread of this epi- als with not more than 15 -16 relatives in all from Accordingly, a decision taken in this respect demic called as COVID 19. recently at a review meeting of the Advisory both the families. The norms were to be strictly In the midst of chaos all around, according to adhered during this pandemic times. There was a Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary of pro- the consent of everybody in the family, we finally written permission sought and a letter of consent viding seats to Ladakhi students subject to a max- decided to perform the wedding ceremony of our was handed over to us so that we should adhere to daughter. Now the point was, how to plan it into imum of 4 percent for the academic year 2020-21 all the precautions to be taken during the gathering. entirely different scenario. So we fastened our seat So at the time of the arrival of the BARATIS, we is the right decision as there were no other belts and looked into various options and ways to followed a unique custom which was the demand immediate alternatives . In other words, 4 per find all the resources available for us. We were left of the time and it was to make each one sanitise cent seats would be reserved exclusively for stu- with one month but with lockdown it all appeared their hands. It was a gesture to make everybody as a challenge now. The reason of our anxiety was dents of Ladakh in Medical and Engineering col- feel safe and secure during the function. how the things would be arranged. All shops mar- Right from the greeting of the Barat, photo ses- leges in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. It may ket-places, marriage Halls, beauty parlors and sions, dinner, ceremonies and rituals to the VIDAII further be noted that government of India, in this almost everything essential for a marriage ceremo- went off so smooth as it was a dream passing by. connection, had constituted an Advisory ny was remote in time or space. So now we had to Every guest present was a support and enjoyed look for the alternatives to almost everything. The dancing and merry making that made me feel as if Committee and had asked it to submit its rec- most important was the-manpower- the challeng- every moment was auspicious planned from the ommendations . ing aspect which created a void. Worsening the sit- HEAVEN itself. While this decision of the UT government uation was that the transport system was complete- Finally, time to make arrangements for the deserves to be noted with satisfaction , it must ly shut down with the aim to check the pandemic. VIDAII. An emptiness struck deep inside which Right from the beginning, challenges were created a void both within me and in my home. surely have removed the apprehensions in waiting head on. First was whether the marriage malistic resources. bride is supposed to perform certain rituals in Tears came out rolling from nowhere and the the minds of the students of Leh and Kargil dis- should be solemnized or not. Mind boggling dis- Most important was the consent of a priest, which a handful of black pulses, whole black gram whole day I kept hiding in my room so that no one tricts for the immediate academic year of 2020- cussions took place. Some came up with the opin- who would be ready to solemnize the marriage cer- and whole wheat seeds were supposed to be could stop me from this very strange amalgamation ion that without relatives and friends the marriage 21 . The decision of reserving seats for UT emony and rituals. With God's grace, it was washed and kept in the Sun. Each cereal to be tied of feelings which was difficult for me to handle at is incomplete while others suggested that as every- that juncture of time. Then came the moment Ladakh will be resulting in deducting 35 seats arranged in a way that one priest would perform in three red pieces of cloth separately after these thing was planned so why not give it a shot. This the ceremonies at both the places. This was the first get dried up. On the same day, I had got the fire- which I was craving for, to see my piece of heart from Medical Colleges and 24 seats from was the crucial point and a decision on which indication of the Almighty's blessings for us in the place made of mud and cow-dung, as it is a tradi- return in the evening as newly wedded bride clad Engineering Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir depended the future of the ceremony. We had to form of Bridegroom's parents who assisted us tion but a lovely ritual which is near to my heart. I in a beautiful sari adorned with a decent makeup look into all the aspects of the situation. throughout, next we had to go for the cancellation had seen my mother perform it during my mar- and a well-plated hair. My delicate darling from the total seats available . However, reserva- After many wise heads joined together, there appeared before me along with my handsome son- tion for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir will of the booking of the marriage hall and the catering riage. These are to be made use on the morning came out a final verdict which gave our decisions organizers. It was easy but the tough part was from ceremonies of the Wedding-day. As it was not easy in-law, turning my heavy heart into smiles all over. be calculated on the remaining seats strictly as a direction towards the progress of ceremony. Here where to arrange the alternative resources. The for me on my own, because I was informed that On a concluding note, I would rather put my per the provisions of the JK Reservation Act and also came a priest to our help, though he got stuck major challenge was, whether anybody who was this small ritual is done with the help of elderly views in a way that is facing a challenge of a in a different district outside Jammu due to lock- Pandemic or solemnizing the most important occa- Rules. Ladakh administration, therefore, has all approached would be voluntarily providing us his ladies of the family. But now the time had taken a down. Mobile phone, brought by my son, a day or services in such critical circumstances. On the turn, so I took help from a nearby woman with sion like marriage ceremony, what may come but the reasons to feel assuaged and elated over this before came to my rescue. This little instrument in other hand we had to be extra cautious on the part expertise in this work. The way this lady complet- HUMANS can only make everything possible with accommodation by the UT government. my hand never had become so handy and useful, of the minimal manpower. This made our planning ed the task was appreciable. It involved prompt- support, goodwill and cooperation. Accordingly, Jammu and Kashmir Board Of that right in my room. At every step I got a call [email protected] Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) has now to take up the matter with the Ladakh administration in terms of admission policy and Lack of Girls-only Institutes in Poonch reservation policy to be adopted for selection Yousuf Jameel Khalida, a young girl from Surankote block in my studies," said Khalida. To her sheer surprise, her and cities of this country, girls' education receives process of their candidates. border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir husband turned out to be quite supportive and equal importance. Many central schemes also pro- n June, people in a village in Rajasthan's Jaipur If we take a look at the census of 2011 , Leh always had this deep desire to pursue education but encouraged her to pursue her dream of education. mote their education but in areas like Poonch which were protesting the establishment of an Eng- her parents were against sending her to a co-ed The presence of a girls-only institute made the deci- lack overall basic facilities and infrastructure, pro- had a population of nearly 1.50 lakh and Kargil Ilish medium Government school as it would school. After completing Class 8, Khalida was sion easy for her husband. viding quality education to girls is a huge challenge. 1.45 lakh and could be the chief reasons of there mean that the existing girls' school is converted into forced to drop-out from the co-ed and was allowed "I enrolled myself in the ninth grade at Govern- Here, boys are given priority and their dreams are a co-ed.The reason for the protest was the fact that to continue only with the religious teachings that ment Girls Higher Secondary School, Sheesh of importance," explained Adil Hameed, a teacher being no professional colleges set up as the num- the parents of girls do not feel comfortable 'allow- ber of aspiring students might not be in proportion too from her house. Mahal, Poonch. Apart from my husband, teachers from Khalida's school. ing' their daughters to study with boys. Not just in "I had to sacrifice my dreams due to concerns at the school were really supportive," Khalida said. Adil believes that both government agencies to the meriting of full fledged professional col- rural Rajasthan but parents in even metropolitan of my parents and because of the lack of girls-only After completing Class 10, Khalida is now prepar- and non-government organizations will have to leges. Since prior to the Reorganisation of the cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Surat etc. pre- school in my area. There are many girls like me ing to pursue education further. work together for improving the situation. "Gov- fer sending their daughters to 'girls-only' schools. Jammu and Kashmir state , students from Ladakh whose dreams of a decent education have been com- Dream of a progressive society cannot be ernment should increase the number of education The preference of such parents is met by the avail- institutes in such remote areas. Presence of girls- were studying in Jammu and Kashmir and to that promised. Had there been a special education insti- achieved without providing equal opportunities of ability of both public and private education institu- tute only for girls in our area, things would definite- education and growth to girls. Not just as mothers, only education institutes in nearby locations will extent , much of difference would not be felt on the tions in their area and their daughters continue to ly have been different," shared Khalida. daughters or sisters who will help educating the encourage parents to support education of their ground especially in the light of new Medical and get education without any hindrance. However, She wasn't happy leaving her dreams mid-way. entire society but as humans who have the right to daughters. In the meanwhile, non-government things get much more complicated in remote and Engineering colleges being set up in Jammu and After her parents married her, she kept thinking of be educated and pursue a career for fulfilling their organizations should employ behavioral change rural areas of the country which lack education activities and aim at changing the attitude of fami- Kashmir. It , most probably, cannot be a long term ways to communicate her desire to her husband. "I own dreams. institutes dedicated only for girls' education. The was quite sure that I do not want to spend my life "We have a lot of girl students in this school and lies towards girls' education," he added. measure as the very idea of carving out the UT of impact is borne by girls who despite having deep as an illiterate. I tried several times but couldn't col- understanding the hurdles they have to cross to (This article has been written under the Sanjoy Ghose Media Ladakh from the erstwhile state of Jammu and interest in education have to give-up on their lect courage. After a year, I gathered all my will and reach here, we try our best to make better arrange- Fellowship 2019-20) dreams. Kashmir was to mitigate the difficulties of the peo- shared with my husband that I wanted to continue ments for their education. In well-developed towns (Charkha Features) ple of Ladakh in respect of covering long dis- tances and in inclement weather conditions to Srinagar or Jammu for various requirements . Menace of Phony Accounts in Social Media However, for career building especially for those students who are brilliant and industrious, dis- Dr. Shubhnandan S. Jamwal right to information by the media for different company but research is also being carried out is depicted on the Social media account which tances and difficulties do not matter in the purposes. It is also assumed that if the person in to undermine the Facebook business model by is appreciated by the fake followers also. One ocial media has deeply dug its claws in highly competitive times. India is having a smart phone along with the studying the interactions between fake profiles must ask a question to him/herself that, why the cyber world and it has evolved as social media account, in most of the cases, he and regular users. should we pretend on lifestyle which we know Smassive platform for businesses, entre- has a political party and most probably a media Looking at the problems created by the fake so well we can't afford? The world has turned Concerns for the preneurs, professionals and organizations that channel also under her/his control irrespective accounts, most of the social networking sites into a place whereby people especially the seek greater recognition and identification at a of age, maturity and literacy level. like Twitter and LinkedIn have disclosed that youth showing off expensive life style on elderly persons very economical price. But several people Social media networks have also attracted they have removed or in the process of remov- Facebook, Instagram and twitter and so on across India are losing money every day by worldwide attention of the big companies for ing legions of fake accounts from their plat- while in reality they can't even afford a bit of it. n India, traditionally and culturally elders used responding to the messages from unknown enti- advertisings just because a social media plat- forms. The existence of the Phony accounts Some of the youth shares pictures and videos to command respect and affection in the socie- ties and responding to the offers like mobile form has potential to address millions of users since the inception of the social networking on on social media with someone else resources phone for Rs 251. Every day number of people social media always remains in trend and the like cars and gadgets. But if the youth has real- ty not to speak of from their nears and dears. and possible future customers and now the real I are becoming the victims of frauds and during ly seen the life style of Mark Zuckerberg, they Materialistic 'invasion' disturbed all those glori- this pandemic the fraudster is more active. have hardly seen him with expensive gadgets or ous equations and now, instances are when even According to one of the statistics of December luxury life. Some of the people even go into well to do children find their elders in relation as a 2019, 80% of the internet users in India have depression when they actually cannot afford experienced cyber crime which is the highest in that artificial and costly life style. Most of the burden and a liability hence implementing their the world followed by the America which is people are posting an image on the social ''right of abode'' in Old Age Homes. Those not in around 61%. It is not only monetary issues but media, may be in new dress, and then continu- such conditions even back home are not feeling the use and abuse of the electronic media by ously watching that picture every minute and the passing of the twilight of their lives comfort- miscreants for several other anti-social purpos- every second to see the number of likes and es is on the increase and the laws for control- comments. Some of them have also developed able . This very country still has exceptions in ling this monster are still in inception. Social TSH and blood pressure problems just because increasing numbers where the younger ones media platforms are providing the mass medi- there are not enough likes and followers. adore their elders not to speak of taking their nor- um to allow the interaction between different In reality every social media company mal care. Looking to what the government is people and sharing their thoughts and feelings wants to see growth but at the same time they but because of the phony accounts it has also have sympathy for the one who is victim- doing for them, less said the better. Even basic become inauthentic. The biggest example one ized by fake accounts holders in any sense. The consideration of separate queues in government can quote is where social media interfered in idea of preventing this actually does not suit to departments, telephone and electric bill payment the 2016 US election. It was observed by the the big platforms and they are constantly counters, hospitals, dispensaries etc for the Senate Intelligence Committees that Russia's adding new users in order to sell ads and pla- Internet Research Agency (IRA) used social cate the all concerned stockholders. This does elderly, are never seen. media to "conduct an information warfare cam- not matter for a platform whether the user is Supreme Court has admitted that the elderly paign designed to spread disinformation and real or fake. Not even a single platform wants are suffering after taking the overall view of the societal division in the United States". It was to shrink its base but fake accounts are not just also observed that the IRA used several differ- a spam risk but these accounts are essentially scenario especially in respect of the difficulties spreading misinformation or propaganda. The faced by them in getting pension for which it has ent platforms but the Facebook and Instagram were the primary platforms. If the superpowers potential of social networks is being explored problem has increased manifolds and will con- first step of involving into an online propagan- directed that pension payment be made in time to of the worlds are becoming the victim of social daily by the different companies for the market- tinue even though the big giants are saying that da and misinformation campaigns is to have a them and those living in Old Age Homes be pro- media then one can also imagine the status of ing purpose. But according to the recent statis- they are working to stop it. The performance fake social media profile. But neither social metric of a social media company is measured media companies nor technological innovations vided with the personal protective equipment India. Most of the people in India blame that tics by Martin Armstrong, 16% of all Facebook there was the abuse in media in the shape of accounts are fake or duplicates. In simple by the growth in user accounts, therefore, the offer reliable ways that can be used for the (PPE), sanitizers and face masks during the cur- genuineness of the user and the purpose of the identification of Phony profiles. From the spreading rumors, and scandals, doing sting words it means that, 412 million user profiles social media account are never asked. The pur- bogus followers and fake news it is very hard to rency of the COVID 19 pandemic. The court has operations, destroying institutions, personali- on the largest social media platform are fake or pose of creating the social media accounts is know whom to trust? directed the administration to attend to their prob- ties and so on but still they have to hear about duplicate. Although the exact amount of the hardly known to anyone in India. Fake life style [email protected] lems and difficulties whenever request for the paid news, media leaks, use and misuse of the fake accounts will never be revealed by any same was made. (The views expressed by the authors are their personal)